Researchers Claim Lithium Battery Breakthrough

Scientists at Stanford University believe they have solved one of the major issues facing lithium battery technology. The researchers contend a pure lithium battery is best. "Of all the materials that one might use in an anode, lithium has the greatest potential. Some call it the Holy Grail," said Stanford Professor Yi Cui. "It is very lightweight and it has the highest energy density. You get more power per volume and weight, leading to lighter, smaller batteries with more power." The problem, however, is that lithium anodes form dendritic and mossy metal deposits that can cause batteries to crack, lose ions, and possibly ignite fires. In order to solve this problem, the researchers coated the lithium anode with a monolayer of interconnected amorphous hollow carbon nanospheres. The researchers say this helps isolate the lithium metal depositions and stabilizes the battery entirely. "The ideal protective layer for a lithium metal anode needs to be chemically stable to protect against the chemical reactions with the electrolyte and mechanically strong to withstand the expansion of the lithium during charge," said Cui. The solution could apply to lithium batteries used in smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even cars, vastly extending battery life.

Back in the 60s, auto manufacturers found a way to develope a carburetor to allow a vehicle 150mpg. This would never come to fruition. Mysteriously, the technology never appeared.

If we apply the same logic to the electronic version of powering devices, the common battery will remain fairly unchanged in order to keep profits and revenue sustainable through recirculation of sales. The Fortune500 has a nasty habit of controlling what makes it to market and what gets lost. As smartphones become more powerful and diverse, the increase in battery output will only grow to match what we see today. It will be up to the manufacturerd of the devices to find ways to compensate. Just as cars have for many years.

If you want to compare it to mpg that cars get, you need to understand that there is a delicate balance between mileage and safety, You could easily get 300MPG simply by eliminating all the safety standards that manufacturers are required to meet. R...(continues)

It's honestly sad how a broken legislature and patent system which constantly cowers before corporate greed has allowed it to come to this. There's plenty of money to be made from new technologies. It's asinine that government supports business who de...(continues)